THE KABACHNIK-FIELDS REACTION - SYNTHETIC POTENTIAL AND THE PROBLEM OF THE MECHANISM

The data published in the last decade concerning the mechanism of the Kabachnik - Fields reaction and its significance for the chemistry of organophosphorus compounds as a method for synthesis of alpha-amino ph osphonates and its numerous functionally substituted derivatives and a nalogues (phosphinates, phosphine oxides) are generalised and describe d systematically. The discussion covers both the classical variant of the Kabachnik-Fields reaction and its modifications using phosphorus c hlorides, neutral esters, and inorganic phosphorus-containing acids an d also chemical processes modelling separate stages of the reaction (h ydrophosphorylation of imines and amination of alpha-hydroxy phosphona tes). Some information on the use of alpha-amino phosphonates is given .